Conservation districts in 28 of the 42 Pennsylvania counties in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed have applied successfully to conduct farm inspections aimed at reducing agricultural runoff into local streams and rivers and ultimately, the Bay.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA is calling on Pennsylvania and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to focus additional investments in five southcentral PA counties to accelerate pollution reductions from agriculture-- Lancaster, York, Franklin, Cumberland and Adams, in that order.

The PA Growing Greener Coalition Tuesday announced the appointment of the following three new members to its executive committee:

The House returns to voting session Monday and is scheduled to have only 12 voting days between now and the November election.  The Senate returns September 26 and has even fewer-- 9 voting days.

The Coalition For The Delaware River Watershed Thursday reported the U.S. Senate passed the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act as part of a larger package of legislation contained in the federal Water Resources Development Act.

PA Environment Digest now has a Google+ Circle called Green Works In PA.  Let us join your Circle.

Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

A joint Senate Appropriations and Republican Policy Committee hearing will be held on September 20 on Senate Bill 1341 (Mensch-R-Montgomery) which calls for performance-based budgeting (sponsor summary).

Among the agenda items for the September 21 meeting of DEP’s Water Resources Advisory Committee are proposed fee increases for Chapter 91 and 92 NPDES Water Quality Permit reviews and renewals.

The Regulatory, Legislative and Technical Committee to DEP’s Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board will consider a revised coal mining permit fee package at its meeting on September 22. (formal notice)

On September 7, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced David D. Klepadlo, age 61, Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County and David D. Klepadlo & Associates, Inc., have been charged in an Indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Scranton on September 6.

By Bernard W. Sweeney, Stroud Water Research Center, Chester County & James G. Blaine, Blaine Enterprises, Maine

In the wake of the recent release of its 2014-2015 Sustainability Report and the launch of its Sustainable Star customer awards program, Axalta Coating Systems, a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings based in Delaware County, Wednesday announced its partnership with Stroud Water Research Center in Chester County.

The Stroud Water Research Center in Chester County and Axalta Coating Systems are hosting a Seminar on the Health of the Delaware River October 19 at the historic Union League of Philadelphia starting at 5:30 p.m.

The organizers of the 20th Annual Schuylkill River Watershed Congress to be held on March 11 at the Montgomery County Community College in Pottstown are now accepting proposals for presentations.  The deadline for submissions is October 31.

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary is collaborating with organizations around the region, and the nation, to celebrate September 17-24 as National Estuaries Week.

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Thursday provided an update on Delaware River Basin Science as part of the Delaware Watershed Initiative featuring articles on--

The Department of Environmental Protection Friday released the final technical guidance on the Acid Mine Drainage Set-Aside Program which guides the distribution of up to 30 percent of the federal mine reclamation funding DEP receives to fund local reclamation projects.  (formal notice)

Abstracts will now being accepted until September 28 for the 11th Susquehanna River Symposium, "A Tale of Two Rivers: The Susquehanna and the Delaware," to be held November 11 and 12 at the Elaine Langone Center on the campus of Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Union County.

Are you 55 years or older, live in Allegheny County and want to become involved in protecting our resources and educating the public on the natural world?  If so, the new Allegheny County Senior Environment Corps wants you!

If you are interested in learning more about the proper management of private water wells, springs and cisterns and you are willing to share what you learn with others, you might be interested in applying for the Master Well Owner online course being offered by Penn State Extension starting on September 26.

The Public Utility Commission Thursday joined elected officials, drinking water and wastewater service providers, community leaders, business and labor groups, policy experts, advocacy organizations and infrastructure experts in “Imagine a Day Without Water.”

The September 13 Watershed Winds newsletter is now available from Penn State Extension featuring articles on--

The Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation is organizing volunteers to cleanup Centralia, Columbia County starting at 9:00 a.m. in the Borough Hall.

Recyclebank, the incentives and behavior change platform focused on waste, has got some green Halloween tips that are sure to scare away any waste-- without affecting your Halloween treats of course!

Gov. Tom Wolf Thursday announced the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency has been notified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency it has approved the project application for the City of Harrisburg’s sinkhole mitigation project on South 14th Street and will provide $1,650,000 in federal funds.

The Public Utility Commission Thursday approved jointly the petitions of Duquesne Light Company for the company’s Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan and to implement a distribution system improvement charge to help fund and support the accelerated work schedule proposed in the company’s LTIIP.

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a public hearing on the air quality permit for the proposed 485-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant in Archbald in Lackawanna County.

The September 15 edition of DEP News is now available from the Department of Environmental Protection featuring stories on--

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday recognized 13 companies in the supermarket industry for their achievements reducing emissions of environmentally harmful refrigerants through its GreenChill Awards Program.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the September 17 PA Bulletin proposing conditional State Water Quality Certification for a 24-megawatt hydroelectric facility at the Emsworth Locks and Dam in Allegheny County. (PA Bulletin page 5954)

Solarize Allegheny’s Churchill, Wilkins and Chalfant Project, a community-supported solar campaign run by non-profit SmartPower, will officially launch on September 22 at the Edgewood Country Club at 100 Churchill Road in Pittsburgh.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Wednesday joined other partners in dedicating a new solar array at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, Presque Isle State Park, Erie.

In recognition of its industry-leading corporate sustainability performance, Exelon Corporation Monday announced it has been named to the 2016 Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) for North America, marking the eleventh consecutive year Exelon has appeared on the index.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Tuesday joined local government leaders and Green Building Alliance officials in Pittsburgh in announcing Point State Park will participate in the Pittsburgh 2030 District.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Thursday joined local legislators and partners for a dedication ceremony for the new visitor center and park office at Kinzua Bridge State Park, McKean County, in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Thursday announced it has increased the reward for information leading to an arrest of those responsible for starting the Poconos Wildfires to $20,000.

The September 15 edition of the Resource newsletter from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is now available featuring articles on--

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy is sponsoring two workshops in October on how the natural assets of the Upper Delaware River region are an important driver of the local economy and how tourism actually saves local homeowners money on taxes.

The Game Commission is burning its way toward 10,000 acres of better wildlife habitat.  During its spring burning season, the Game Commission treated a record 8,637 acres with prescribed fire to improve habitat on state game lands and Hunter Access properties statewide.

The Western PA Conservancy Monday said the BirdSafe Pittsburgh Partnership is in need of volunteers to monitor their homes or other downtown routes for birds that may have collided with buildings windows.

The PA Resources Council and the Allegheny CleanWays will host the Wild & Scenic Film Festival in Pittsburgh on September 22 and 24 as part of Pittsburgh’s month long Re:NEW Sustainability Festival.

The Department of Environmental Protection is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Director, Bureau of Air Quality.  Applications are due October 14.

The PA Environmental Council is seeking qualified candidates to fill a Communication Specialist position in its Pittsburgh office.  The deadline for applications is October 3.

The Nature Conservancy-PA is seeking qualified candidates for a Director Of Land Conservation position based in Harrisburg.  The deadline for applications is October 10.

Trout Unlimited is seeking qualified individuals to fill the position of Mid-Atlantic Organizer to work with multiple stakeholders, including working closely with TU volunteers and other hunters and anglers to engage with decision-makers and coordinate the activities of the Sportsmen Alliance for Marcellus Conservation.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the September 17 PA Bulletin announcing an opportunity to bid on a mine reclamation project in Clarion County.

This section lists House and Senate Committee meetings, DEP and other public hearings and meetings and other interesting environmental events.

This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for awards and grants and other recognition programs.  NEW means new from last week.

Here are NewsClips from around the state on all environmental topics, including General Environment, Budget, Marcellus Shale, Watershed Protection and much more.

No new regulations were published this week.  Pennsylvania Bulletin - September 17, 2016

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